𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑, COLBY MADDEN

2x14: Guitar Hero.

The music room was quiet, except for the soft scratching of pencils and the occasional hum of Y/N trying to strum a chord. Sheets of music were scattered across the floor, some covered in half-erased lyrics.

"I can't believe the Battle of the Bands is only three days away," Y/N muttered, tapping her pencil against her notebook.

Amy flopped into the chair across from her, arms crossed, brows furrowed. "Oh, did you finish writing our new song yet?"

Y/N groaned and threw her pencil down. "No, I think I'll just wait for inspiration to strike—maybe during Geometry. You know, while I nap."

Amy shot her a glare. "Amy, as last year's champions, we need back-to-back wins. We can't let our streak end now."

Hartley, leaning lazily against the keyboard, chuckled. "Five years ago, the Monobrows didn't win a second time. And now they're stuck playing nursing homes. Honestly... I kind of like an audience that can't get up and leave."

Y/N rolled her eyes. "Look, I want to win again as much as you do. But this song isn't coming to me as fast as the others."

Amy leaned forward, tapping the table for emphasis. "Then let me help you. I have ideas—good ideas. Brilliant ideas."

"No," Y/N said firmly, shaking her head. "I need to prove to myself that I can do this. Just... be patient. I promise, I'll write us a great song."

A door creaked, and Gem's voice slipped into the room like a needle on vinyl. "Hey, girls! Ready for the Battle of the Bands? I really think you have a shot at beating us again!"

Y/N stiffened, staring at her. "Are you... being sarcastic?"

"Nope," Gem replied, flashing a wide, saccharine smile. "I'm being nice! Like you suggested!"

Hartley raised an eyebrow. "I feel nothing inside when I'm doing it, but at least it's making other people happy."

Amy snorted. "Well, if I have to be nice, you do too."

Y/N muttered under her breath, "Okay, nice Gem scares me a lot more than mean Gem."

Gem tilted her head, looking like a cheerful predator. "Well, I, for one, am looking forward to a friendly competition without any insults."

Amy's eyes narrowed, a sly grin creeping across her face. "And I'm looking forward to insulting someone who can't insult me back."

"What?" Gem stammered. "You... you told me to be nice!"

Amy leaned back, her grin widening. "Didn't say anything about me."

Hartley groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Y/N, we're doomed."

Y/N smirked, then sighed, running her hands through her hair. "Let's just focus. We need a song that'll knock everyone's socks off. Mean Gem or nice Gem—doesn't matter. We've got this."

Amy tapped the table, bouncing slightly in her chair. "Exactly. And if Gem tries to psych us out, we'll just crank it up to eleven. Then she'll wish she never walked in here."

At that, Gem's smile faltered. "Wait... you're planning to be mean back?"

Y/N chuckled softly. "You better believe it."

Amy leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "And the first lyric is going to be... all about Gem. Don't worry—nicely disguised."

Gem froze, glancing nervously at the floor. Hartley muttered, "Yep. That's a hit already."

The three of them dove back into brainstorming, pencils scratching, keyboards clicking, and voices bouncing ideas off each other, the tension between them and Gem crackling like electricity. Outside the window, the afternoon sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the scattered music sheets.